Hello all, ok as much as us C&O buffs like the new Allegheny I found one flaw with it. It’s not the greatest of pullers. I lashed up 28 2 bay C&O hoppers plus a caboose. but when it ran up a 1.5% grade. it struggled. When I put 30+ it would stall out (spinning wheels).
Soooooo, does anyone recommend a traction tire for the Allegheny?
Help?
dano–
I don’t know about the new Hornby Allegheny, but I have one of the original Rivarossi’s, and as soon as the factory ‘polish’ on the wheeltreads wore off, it would pull really well. In fact, when the traction tires on my original disintigrated, I didn’t even bother to contact the mfgr. for a replacement set–it still pulls like a bull moose, and I’ve got 2-2.4% grades on my MR. I assume that the Hornby has the weight of the original Rivarossi. It might just need to be run in a while to get those treads to start gripping. I certainly hope so.
Question–didn’t your Hornby come with traction tires? They should be on the rear second set of drivers. They’re VERY slim–you almost can’t see them.
I’d suggest just running it in for a while. Hopefully, like my original, the traction will start improving like crazy.
Tom [:)]
I all most started a question tonight about pretty much the same subject. Is there a break in time for engine wheels. 2 years ago before I joined this great site fellow HO slot car folks where trying to help with my HO train questions.
I bought my first Athearn F7-A with the super weight. It was a poor puller compared to my cheap pancake LL engines I started with. I asked if there was a break in time on the wheels? I was told no!
It started pulling well, but I thought it was because my track laying skills got better.
Then same thing happened again on the following.
BLI Hudson
BLI Heavy Mike
Athearn Dash 9 (I thought it was the added weight)
What made me think about this again was what happen tonight. A year ago I bought a Proto 2 SD-7 Rio Grand. Boy it is a good looking engine but could not pull more than around 15 cars. Ran it off and on, mainly off. Tonight I added a decoder and clean the wheels with a brush and 1200 grit sand paper.
I am, very impressed. It is now pulling coal cars 33 cars up my 1.5% grade at 1/3 throttle.
Cuda Ken